England bowlers fight back against Sri Lanka

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CARDIFF, United Kingdom: James Anderson led a disciplined effort by England's bowlers as Sri Lanka reached 207 for four at lunch on the second day of the first Test at Sophia Gardens here on Friday.

Anderson's opening spell Friday of one for 10 in six overs saw him collect the prize wicket of Mahela Jayawardene, out for his overnight score of four.

Chris Tremlett then removed opener Tharanga Paranavitana, who'd added just eight to his first day 58 before he was dismissed for 66.

The 6ft 7in Tremlett was unlucky not to twice remove Thilan Samaraweera.

But Samaraweera was 38 not out at lunch and Prasanna Jayawardene unbeaten on 21, with their attractive stand of 48 having checked England's progress in the opening match of this three-Test series.

Sri Lanka resumed on 133 for two after losing captain Tillakaratne Dilshan (50), who won the toss, and Kumar Sangakkara, his predecessor as skipper, for 11 late on Thursday's rain-marred first day.

Sri Lanka had yet to add to their total when Anderson jagged one back to Jayawardene and a fast, edged chance was well caught by Andrew Strauss after the England captain moved sharply to his right at first slip.

Sri Lanka were now 133 for three, with Anderson reeling off four straight maidens at the start of Friday's play.

Samaraweera tried to couner by deliberately upper-cutting Anderson over the slip cordon for four.

There was no such flamboyance from Paranavitana.

The left-hander had moved on to 65 when he survived a close lbw apeal after being beaten by a fine inswinger from Stuart Broad.

But there was no doubt when, on 66, the obdurate Paranavitana inside-edged an intended drive off Tremlett onto his stumps to end an innings of more than four-and-a-half hours.

Paranavitana's exit left Sri Lanka 159 for four.